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Higher education is a key factor for economic growth. However, Bakersfield ranks among the lowest in the nation for residents with higher degrees.

For this reason, CSUB is opening its Graduate Student Center, with the mission of increasing the number of students receiving graduate degrees and strengthening community engagement of CSUB’s graduate programs. The media is invited to a ribbon cutting and dedication at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, inside Dorothy Donahoe Hall.

The Center is funded by a five-year, $2.5 million Title V grant for Hispanic-Serving Institutions from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant, Promoting Post-baccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA), is designed to increase the number of Hispanic graduate students and master's degree recipients and to improve graduate students' educational experience.

The Center’s programs and services will benefit all graduate students at CSUB, in addition to historically under-served Hispanics. The one-stop center, located in Dorothy Donahoe Hall C100/108, streamlines the admissions process by integrating graduate admissions with university and program admissions. The center also offers advising, graduate program support, workshops for graduate students and faculty, and community outreach. The center's support staff will be available during day and evening hours.

“The center will provide a stronger foundation of supportive services for those interested in obtaining an advanced degree and for our current graduate students,” said Edna Molina, co-director of the Graduate Student Center. “Our goal is to increase access to graduate study, enhance the graduate educational experience, and support the timely completion of a master’s degree.”

Economic Impact

By helping students attain higher degrees, CSUB will help support regional economic development. Metro Bakersfield was recently ranked 196th out of 200 communities for “brainpower” by Portfolio.com, with only 4.5 percent of residents having a graduate or professional degree.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, average earnings in 2008 totaled $83,144 for those with an advanced degree, compared with $58,613 for those with a bachelor's degree only, and $31,283 for those with no more than a high school diploma.

With a majority of CSUB alumni remaining within the region, higher wage earners with advanced degrees make a direct economic impact. According to a report from the CSU Chancellor’s Office, nearly $676.4 million of the earnings by alumni from CSU Bakersfield are attributable to their CSU degrees, which creates an additional $996.5 million of industry activity throughout the state.